Jad Abumrad is a composer, radio producer, performer, and writer, and is best known for having created, produced, and starred in several National Public Radio and American Public Radio series, including Radiolab, More Perfect, and Dolly Parton’s America. His radio work has earned him great public and critical recognition, including the Peabody Award (three times) and a 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. After retiring from Radiolab in 2022, Abumrad joined the faculty at Vanderbilt University.
In this innovative and timely talk, Jad Abumrad explores the art of conversation. For the last year, he’s been deep diving into the art of interviewing. Not just how journalists in his industry do it, but how do therapists do it? Salespeople? Hostage negotiators? Social workers? What are the techniques we can all steal and use in our own lives when having difficult conversations with fellow humans? He will share insights, play clips, and even lead the audience through a few interactive games.
This Indiana University Patten Lecture is presented in partnership with the College Arts and Humanities Institute and the Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities. This event is free and open to the public. Seating may be limited.
The College of Arts